________________
RUKMINI KALYANAM.
877
DECEMBER, 1907.]
performing make-belief marriages; in serving sweet-flavoured food to other girls of her own age, which pleased them very much; in the growth of creepers and flowers in the park adjacent ; in rocking herself in golden cradles, in houses set with diamonds and other precious stones; in playing at ball very elegantly with other girls of her own age; in teaching parrots; in teaching methods of walking to peahens and slowness of pace to fresh-bloomed swans. The growth of Rukmini's body varied with the growth of Krishna's love towards her; her lotus-face varied with the lotus of Krishna's mind; her breasts with Cupid's finely-pointed darts varied with Krishna's growth; her loins waved with the waving of Krishna's patience; her braided tresses increased with the increase of Krishna's love-chord towards her, so that her growth might keep pace with Krishna's pleasures. Thus Rukmini, the sister of Rukmi, Rukmaratha, Rukmabahu, Rukmakesa and Rukmanêtra, being in her teens, heard of the accomplishments of Sri-Krishna from the hosts who came to her house, and came to a resolution in her mind that Krishna would be the fittest man for her to take as her husband.
"Sri-Krishna, also after hearing of the beauty, intelligence, character, and general accomplishments of Rukmint and being satisfied on every item, thought that she would be the fittest woman for him to take as his wife. While all his relatives were holding consultations with the wise about giving Rukmini in marriage to Krishna, the foolish Rukmi came to a different conclusion and wanted her to be given to Sisupala. Rukmini, after having ascertained her brother's intentions, sighed in heart, called in a confidential Brahman and told him that her hot-headed brother had come to a firm resolve to give her in marriage to Sisupâla somehow, and that she wanted him to go to Dvâraka and inform Krishna of the affair. 'Best of Brahmans, as my father, too, cannot set aside the firm resolve of my brother, kindly go on this mission to Dvaraka, inform Krishna of the whole affair, and fetch him hither as soon as possible and thus baffle the endeavours of my brother.'
"The Brahman, after hearing these and some other secret words, proceeded to Dvaraka, informed Krishna of his coming through the guards stationed outside, received Krishna's orders, entered the palace, saw Krishna seated on a seat of gold, and blessed him to become a bridegroom. Whereupon Krishna, ever bent upon observing Vedic ritual, vacated his seat smiling, requested the Brahman to sit on the same seat and worshipped him, as he is himself worshipped by the angels, fed him sumptuously, approached him most heartily and slowly, and with his hands, which wield sway over the whole world, pressed his legs and addressed him thus:
"Best of Brahmans, I see you are always contented. Such a state is attained very happily. This dharma is acceptable to the elders. A Brahman, however wealthy he may be, should be contented and happy and should not be swayed by a feeling of pride. Whoever does not quit this swatharma, would have all his desires satisfied. Whoever is not content with the little that he gets would always be crushed, even though he gets Indra's riches. Whoever is content with the little that he gets would be quite happy, even though he be a pauper. Therefore, I would prostrate before those who show signs of friendship to all beings, who are content with the little they get, who are patient, who are good and not proud. O intelligent and best of Brahmans, I like that king, under whose sway all the people live comfortably, in whose kingdom you are, and by whom you are protected. Kindly let me know what induced you to enter this impenetrable island-home at this unusual hour. I promise to satisfy your desire and you may depend upon it.'
"Having heard these words from Krishna, the divine being in human form, the Brahman replied thus: Lord, there lives a king in Vidarbha, Bhishmaka by name. He has a daughter whose name is Rakmiat. She, being intent on serving you, requests you to marry her, and has sent
